Ecclesiastes 8:9
Parallel Verses
New International Version
All this I saw, as I applied my mind to everything done under the sun. There is a time when a man lords it over others to his own hurt.


English Standard Version
All this I observed while applying my heart to all that is done under the sun, when man had power over man to his hurt.


New American Standard Bible
All this I have seen and applied my mind to every deed that has been done under the sun wherein a man has exercised authority over another man to his hurt.


King James Bible
All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.


Holman Christian Standard Bible
All this I have seen, applying my mind to all the work that is done under the sun, at a time when one man has authority over another to his harm.


International Standard Version
I observed all this, and carefully considered everything that is undertaken on earth, especially the time when someone dominates another to his detriment.


American Standard Version
All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man hath power over another to his hurt.


Douay-Rheims Bible
All these things I have considered, and applied my heart to all the works that are done under the sun. Sometimes one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.


Darby Bible Translation
All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time when man ruleth man to his hurt.


Young's Literal Translation
All this I have seen so as to give my heart to every work that hath been done under the sun; a time that man hath ruled over man to his own evil.


Commentaries
8:9-13 Solomon observed, that many a time one man rules over another to his hurt, and that prosperity hardens them in their wickedness. Sinners herein deceive themselves. Vengeance comes slowly, but it comes surely. A good man's days have some substance; he lives to a good purpose: a wicked man's days are all as a shadow, empty and worthless. Let us pray that we may view eternal things as near, real, and all-important.

9. his own hurt—The tyrannical ruler "hurts" not merely his subjects, but himself; so Rehoboam (1Ki 12:1-33); but the "time" of "hurt" chiefly refers to eternal ruin, incurred by "wickedness," at "the day of death" (Ec 8:8), and the "time" of "judgment" (Ec 8:6; Pr 8:36).
Ecclesiastes 8:8
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